Strength of unreinforced joints of masonry walls made of AAC masonry units

The paper presents the results of experimental tests performed on six wall joints. The tests were performed on the models made of AAC blocks with thin joints and unfilled head joints. The joints were constructed as traditional masonry joints. The tests were performed in a dedicated test stand in which force was transferred linearly along the whole height of the wall. Specimens were loaded in one cycle until failure. The paper discusses the mode, morphology and mechanism of failure, and analyses the load-displacement relationships which allowed to define the phases of joint behaviour. By applying code procedures, authors provide the parameters required for the design of the joints. Using the values of cracking and failure forces obtained in experimental tests characteristic strengths at the moment of cracking and failure were determined. The obtained shear strengths were compared with the code values specified by Eurocode 6.